Display counter



Jan. 1931. 35; WILDE 1,190,499

DISPLAY COUNTER Filed Sept. 4. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 27, 1931. F, LD 1,790,499

DI sPLAY' COUNTER Filed Sept. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 od/ i 727- vz/fi Patented Jan. 27, 1931 PATENT OFFICE FRED DE WILDE, F SHEBOYGAN, WISCONSIN DISPLAY COUNTER Application filed September 4, 1928. Serial No. 303,794,

This invention relates to a display counter. In displaying goods, particularly where a quantity of small articles of different varieties must be displayed, considerable floor I space is usually required, particularly if they are laid out on a flat counter in.compartments.

This invention is designed to provide a display counter which will display a great number of small articles, and which requires a very small floor space, but which so holds the articles that each compartment containing them is visible to the prospective purchaser, and is also accessible so that the articles may be readily removed therefrom.

Further objects are to provide a display counter in which racks containing a plurality of superimposed compartments each with its forward portion pro ecting beyond the one 2 immediately above, -are employed, and in which novel means are used to force the articles towards the front of each of the compartments so that they are always in an accessible and easily viewed position.

Further objects are to provide a novelform of display counter in which the separate compartments are formed with a front through which articles may be viewed and are pushed forwardly by a resiliently urged plunger provided with a mirror on its front side so as to improve the appearance of the display, and to provide means for retracting the plungerso that a new supply of articles may be readily placed within the containers. 35 An embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view through the device.

Figure 2 is a front View with parts broken away.

Figure 3 is a view of one of the side bars of a rack unit.

Figure 4 is a view of one of the containers. Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 55 of Figure 4.

Fi re 6 is a sectional view on the line 66 of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the display counter comprises a plurality of front uprights 1 and a plurality of rear uprights 2 joined by upper and lower transverse bracing members 3 and 4. Preferably, the corner portions are reinforced, as shown in Figure 1 for instance. If desired a platform 5 may be carried at the rear of the apl5 paratus by means of suitable horizontal supports 6 and bracing members 7 Preferably the main portions of the device are formed from structural steel of conventional shape, such for instance as L-irons. The front of the counter is provided with longitudinally extending L-irons, or members 8 and 9, upon which a front panel is positioned. A plurality of diagonally upwardly and rearwardly extending T-irons' 11 are secured to the apparatus, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Preferably at the bottom of these T-irons a longitudinally extending strip 12 is posi tioned. The ends of the device are provided with L-irons 13. It will be seen from Figure 2 that the L-irons and T-irons constitute diagonal members provided with supporting flanges. These flanges receive the diagonally extending side plates 14 (see Figures 1 and 7 i 3,) which carry the containers. These side plates are riveted, or otherwise secured, to certain of the containers, as indicated by the reference character 15 in Figure 1. The other containers are carried upon flanges 16 (see to Figure 3) struck from the side plates 14 of the rack unit. It is apparent that the lowermost container can rest upon the iron framework of the device. 7

Further, if desired, the removable containers may be arranged in pairs so that they may be replaced by a single larger container for each pair of the smaller containers illustrated in Figure 1. This is more clearly shown in Figure 2 as'the space left by the removal of two of the units has been indicated.

Each of the containers 15 is a rectangular, box-like member having a transparent front 17 (see Figures 4 and 5). Further, it may be desired to divide this box-like container into a plurality of compartments by means of the longitudinally extending division strips 18. A plunger 19 is slidably mounted within each container and is provided with a mirror 20 at its front face. The plunger is 109 providedwith a pair of rods 21 which pro- ]ect rearwardly through apertures in the container, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

Coil springs 22 are positioned loosely around the rods and urge the plungers forwardly. The rods may terminate in heads 23 to limit the outward motion of the plungers. A pulley 24 is carried by the rear Wall of each container andguides a cord 25 thereover, such cord being secured at one end to the plunger and at its other end is provided with a manipulating knob or handle 26. The cord is guided beneath the container, preferably by means of the tube 21- It may lead outwardly at a corner of the container, if desired.

The use of the device is apparent from the description, but it may be amplified slightly by pointing out the fact that the device will hold a plurality of different groups of small articles against the front transparent wall 17 of each of the containers, irrespective of the quantity. of articles carried within the containers. As'the articles are used up, the spring-pressed cross head, or plunger 19, moves forwardly and holds them adjacent the forward wall of the container. The mirror gives the illusion of a greater supply of articles and also aids in viewing the articles as it reflects light and increases the degree of illumination Within each container. The mirrors and the crossheads are preferably slotted, as indicated by the reference character 28 in Figure 6, to receive the division plates 18. Obviously, the division'plates are not always necessary and may be dispensed with if desired.

It will be seen that due to the peculiar arrangement of the containers in each division rack that each container is accessible adjacent its front projecting portion, and articles may be freely removed therefrom.

Further, each of the groups of articles is displayed at all times, irrespective ofthe quantity carried in the container. Further, the amount of floor space is very much reduced, due to the overlapping arrangement of containers.

It is to -be noted also that each rack unit plunger and movable through one end of the container, coil springs on the rods between the plunger and one end of the container for normally urging the plunger toward the other end of the container, and means connected to the plunger for manually actuating the plunger against the tension of the spring. V

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set myhand at Sheboygan, in the county of Sheboygan and State of Wisconsin.

FRED DE WILDE.

may be readily lifted from the device when desired.

Further, it will be seen that the device is very simple, is of rugged structure, and is easily operated. I

It is to be distinctly understood that the containers need not be of the same length. The lowest container may be longer than the one immediately above in a regular sequence, if desired. Further, it is to be understood that although the spring lunger has been shown as acting from the back towards the front, nevertheless it may be urged from the side or, in other words, transversel of the container, without departing from t e spirit of this invention. 

